Kraken raising eyebrows, playing with 'attitude' in sixth season

Legendary hockey reporter Stan Fischler writes a weekly scrapbook for NHL.com. Fischler, also known as "The Hockey Maven," shares his insight and wit to readers each Wednesday. This week is about how the Seattle Kraken has become a model NHL franchise in just their sixth season.

Has Seattle become Hockeytown Northwest?

Why not? 

"At every step along their decade-long journey from prospective franchise to playoff contender, the Seattle Kraken have meticulously executed the vision and plan of their founder, David Bonderman, to become not only a thriving NHL club but also impactful members of the Seattle community," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "From the engineering marvel that reimagined and reconstructed Climate Pledge Arena to the selection of the name 'Kraken' that captured Seattle's imagination, to disciplined construction of one of the League's most exciting, young rosters, the franchise has flourished under the leadership of Tod Leiweke and now Samantha Holloway."

All that's missing is the Stanley Cup, like when the Seattle Metropolitans of the Pacific Coast Association became the first team based in the United States to annex the prize by defeating the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey Association 3-1 in the best-of-5 1917 Stanley Cup Final.

"Another Cup will come," said Glenn Dreyfuss, author and host of the "Hockey Time Machine" podcast. "Once the talented prospects they've been drafting since 2021, such as Berkly Catton, Jake O'Brien and Chase Reid, fully ripen -- and they are close -- this team will be a Cup contender."

The Kraken have raised eyebrows from Puget Sound to the Long Island Sound. They were among the top seven surprises through the first two weeks of the season, per NHL.com senior writer Dan Rosen. They went 3-1-1 on a five-game road trip that ended with an 8-3 loss to the Florida Panthers on Oct. 17 and returned to Seattle for a four-game homestand that began against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, ahead of a nationally televised game against the Utah Mammoth (10 p.m. ET; Disney+, HULU, ESPN+, SN+).

"I like our attitude and how our guys pick each other up," Kraken forward Matty Beniers said.

The chief picker-upper is captain Jordan Eberle, at age 36 the face of the franchise and a beloved off-ice character. He signed a two-year, $11 million contract ($5.5 million average annual value) with the Kraken on March 6 to stay with the team he's looking to help clinch a Stanley Cup Playoff berth for the second time since joining the NHL for the 2021-22 season. Seattle reached Game 7 of the 2023 Western Conference Second Round, a 2-1 loss to the Dallas Stars.

"There's a way to play hockey and I've tried to do that as much as I can," Eberle told Sportsnet's  "After Hours" on Oct. 21, 2024. "As I get older, I don't really care about statistics. I don't have many years left. I just want to win a Cup."

Seattle general manager Jason Botterill once said that Eberle is a player who exemplifies so much that this club is about. Others regard him as pleasantly idiosyncratic.

"How many players travel with a guitar, compose music on road trips and have taught  teammates how to play?" Dreyfuss said. "What's more, Jordan is behind the Sticks & Strings Foundation, which raises thousands of dollars for charity.

"He's inspirational. After a painful rehab from a pelvic injury, 'Jordy' led the Kraken with 55 points last season and was a (2026 Bill) Masterton Trophy nominee. Through the toughest times, he faces reporters with class and dignity."

Goalie and auto racing fan Joey Daccord is another an off-the-wall character in his own right. Once after a Kraken overtime win, he skated the length of the ice, leaped on the player pile and concluded his expedition with an injury-free three-point landing. 

He admits that the dearest wish on his bucket list is to score a goalie goal.

"When it's (Philipp) Grubauer's chance to get between the pipes, I get the urge to go out and play forward," Daccord said.

Low-key coach Lane Lambert has stressed more five-man connectivity, which has led to defensemen joining the rush more often than last season.

"The faster we play, the more chance we have to win," Lambert said Oct. 16. "With us every day is a challenge to get better whether it's October or March. As long as we do the same good things, we'll have success." 

Although the Kraken has three practice rinks at its Seattle headquarters, the franchise is blueprinting a new ice arena in the suburb of Kirkland, Washington. 

"It's a bet on our fans and the game of hockey," Holloway said April 21. "Our mission is to grow the game for everyone."

Coincidentally, the proposed Kirkland Iceplex will be located up the road from Eberle's home. He's made it clear he plans to finish his career in his adopted Emerald City.

"That's one thing I love about here," Eberle said after the contract signing. "My kids, not only do I get to bring them on the ice here, but they're in the Jr Kraken program too. So, a lot of the days I get a chance to just finish practice and go watch them. I think that's been pretty fun. I mean, two of my kids have been born here and it's kind of just become our home, really."

It could be even more beautiful if the captain's Stanley Cup wish is fulfilled in Hockeytown Northwest.